Russian Convention Bureau Director joins ICCA Board

Alexey Kalachev, Director of the Russian Convention Bureau, has joined the Board of Directors of the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA). The appointment was announced at the 58th ICCA Congress, which is currently taking place in Houston, USA. Kalachev also became the co-chairperson of the Destination Marketing sector. It is the first time in more than half a century of ICCA history that a representative of Russia has joined the Board of Directors. The appointment demonstrates the important role of development in the congress market and business tourism in Russia. Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation, noted: “The election of the Russian candidate to the Board of Directors of the largest international industry structure proves that the Russian Convention Bureau has become a full-fledged participant in the meetings industry market, not only in our country but throughout the whole world. “The work of the Russian Convention Bureau within the governing bodies of the International Congress & Convention Association ICCA will give the opportunity to make an effective contribution to strengthening the country’s position in the international arena and will be an additional tool for developing the domestic market of business events.” Alexey Kalachev, Director of the Russian Convention Bureau, commented: “It is a great honour for me personally and for the Russian Convention Bureau to be elected to the ICCA Board of Directors. This is the opportunity to propose and implement the important initiatives for the event industry in Russia and in the world. “One of our initiatives will be creation on the basis of ICCA of the competence center – a marketing hub – based on the best practices and industry standards. At the same time, it is important to create a Russian version of the ICCA website so that more members including companies from Russia and the CIS countries have access to valuable expert knowledge on the meeting industry in their native language. “Currently, out of 7,000 Russian companies only 22 are members of ICCA and enjoy all the benefits of working with the International Association. Therefore, one of my tasks will be to increase the number of the Russian companies – the ICCA members.”